Prosecutions against people misusing Blue Badges locally has led to a warning from Redbridge Council that Blue Badge cheats won’t be tolerated in the borough.
The crackdown on blue badge fraud saw 42 prosecutions last year, alongside hundreds of Blue Badge checks to clamp down on the illegal use of the permits.
“For genuine Blue Badge holders, the permit can be a lifeline to the community, providing those with mobility issues with special parking provision to access local amenities. Anyone using a Blue Badge fraudulently is taking away a valuable parking space from those in genuine need of it, making it harder for people with mobility issues to go about their daily business,” said a council spokesperson.
Successful prosecutions brought to court by the council have included a driver given one of the largest fines of last year after being caught by Council Parking Enforcement Officers using a Blue Badge that had been reported lost several months previously. The badge was handed over to the officers at the scene of the crime in Ilford, and the driver ended up with fines totalling £1,038.
Blue badges should only be displayed if the blue badge holder is travelling in the vehicle as a driver or passenger, or if someone is collecting the blue badge holder or dropping them off and needs to park at the place where the blue badge holder is being collected or dropped.
To report suspected blue badge fraud, call 0800 633 5267 or email whistleblow@redbridge.gov.uk
For more information on the blue badge scheme in Redbridge, go to www.redbridge.gov.uk/parking/blue-badge/
